Stephen Hawking and the Israel Boycott

Sometimes very smart people do very dumb things.

There's an old joke about the definition of chutzpa. A boy murders his parents and pleas to the judge: "Have pity on me – I’m an orphan!"

Sadly, that comic story can be applied this week to Stephen Hawking, the brilliant Cambridge physicist who announced he was pulling out of the "Facing Tomorrow" conference in Israel next month, "based on advice from Palestinian academics that he should respect the boycott" of Israel. For such a clever man, his recent actions are shockingly foolish and short-sighted.

Short-sighted because, given Israel's central position in scientific and technological fields, to boycott the Jewish state would mean giving up on some of the most important advancements of recent years.

Stephen Hawking himself, who has suffered from motor neuron disease for most of his 71 years, communicates using a mechanical voice system run by the Intel Core i7 Processor developed by the Israeli division of Intel.

As a particle physicist, he is intimately involved in the most significant development in modern times: the discovery of the Higgs-Boson particle, found last year using Israeli-developed particle detectors.

Last year, Hawking accepted a prestigious physics award worth $3 million – awarded by Yuri Milner, a major investor in Israeli high-tech.

Clearly, Prof. Hawking is not about to take out his Intel voice chip, return $3 million, and cease engaging in scientific debate. With so many areas of his life impacted and improved by Israeli dynamism, his refusal to visit the Jewish state comes across as a whole lotta chutzpa.

Double Standard

If Hawking wants to boycott a nation for perceived human rights outrages, he is targeting the wrong country.

In a week when the world's newspapers were filled with gruesome descriptions of profound human rights violations, it's ironic that Prof. Hawking would choose to target Israel for condemnation:

Civil war is raging in Syria, with the Assad regime using chemical weapons against civilians

Nigeria is massacring Islamist opponents of the government

China is enforcing its brutal one-child policy through forced abortions

Saudi Arabia is executing political prisoners and homosexuals

Of course, Israel is not be above criticism, but to single it out for special treatment is to hold it to a biased double-standard that is required of no other country in the world. To single out Israel, a liberal democracy with an open press, transparent judiciary, universal suffrage, and enshrined equal rights for all – as a country not only to be criticized, but utterly avoided – is total chutzpa.

Dr. Hawking, whose academic research is world-class, must also realize the key to bettering the world lies in fostering communication, not in shutting it down. By turning his back on all of Israel, he's sending a reactionary and hate-filled message at odds with the extensive academic collaboration that's marked his entire career. Chutzpa!

Hawking’s cancellation was a major embarrassment to Cambridge University.

Indeed, serious academics, such as Sari Nusseibeh, the Palestinian President of Al-Quds University, deplore academic boycotts. Dr. Nusseibeh has pioneered joint projects with Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Brandeis University near Boston.

Hawking’s cancellation was such an embarrassment to his employer, Cambridge University, that the school spokesman tried to claim it was due to “health reasons” and not as a boycott of Israel. The university was then forced to backtrack, after Hawking's office made perfectly clear that the decision was due to the boycott.

Wrong Side of History

Amazingly, the conference that Hawking is boycotting is designed to promote the very sort of tolerant, open world for which he surely yearns.

Held under the auspices of Israeli President Shimon Peres, the annual Facing Tomorrow conference brings together a diverse group of 5,000 world leaders and intellectuals for discussions on an array of pressing problems – including geopolitics, economics, environment and culture. Peres, a Nobel Prize laureate and Israel’s elder statesman, is using his considerable political capital to address some of the planet’s most pressing issues. To boycott this effort is not reasoned criticism but rather pure chutzpa – an attempt to destroy an Israeli initiative not on its merits, but simply because it originates in the Jewish state.

As a theoretical physicist, Hawking surely knows that his field was shaped by unsuccessful attempts to silence Jews in the past.

In the 1930s, Jewish scientists in Germany – including Albert Einstein – found themselves edged out of traditional academic fields and into burgeoning scientific areas such as particle physics. Einstein and Enrico Fermi (who left Europe to save his Jewish wife) came to the United States, and built much of the foundation of modern theoretical physics.

This latest boycott attempt to silence Jews has a long and infamous history. Hawking’s synergy with this movement to delegitimize the existence of the Jewish state is destined to prove on the wrong side of history.

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About the Author

Yvette Alt Miller earned her B.A. at Harvard University. She completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Jewish Studies at Oxford University, and has a Ph.D. In International Relations from the London School of Economics. She lives with her family in Chicago, and has lectured internationally on Jewish topics. Her book Angels at the table: a Practical Guide to Celebrating Shabbat takes readers through the rituals of Shabbat and more, explaining the full beautiful spectrum of Jewish traditions with warmth and humor. It has been praised as "life-changing", a modern classic, and used in classes and discussion groups around the world.

Visitor Comments: 116

(105)
Jeane harris,
February 2, 2015 4:58 PM

Just some thoughts

I can see where this is disturbing that Steven Hawking cancelled his appearance to support non-violence against Palestinians. His actions on this may have been a misguided attempt to call the scientific world that violence is wrong. But violence agaict others IS wrong. His decision made the news for sure but it saddens me to see such hate towards him for taking a stand against violence may it be against Israel, Palestine, Seria, Nigeria, and the many other countries suffering from violence and war. He's not a monster but a man trying to take a stand against violence

jrs,
February 8, 2015 5:19 PM

some thoughts mean nothing

OK, you offers a few thoughts.Sadly they are not very coherent, nor so they have anything to do with this article.

Hawking was attempting to tell the scientific world that violence is wrong?! Are scientists really that removed from reality, that they need his super-intellect to make this astonishing discovery?

And in any case, If Hawking is trying to make a general statement against violence, the acts of terror that are business-as-usual for the Palestinians & other Arabs should be the focus of his amazing moral insight, not Israel's self-defensive actions.

People who supposedly try to make a general statement against violence---but invariably make it by siding against Israel are not to be applauded, excused or rationalized. They're on the wrong side of the moral fence, period.

(104)
sandy,
December 3, 2014 4:23 AM

Stephen Hawkings is brilliant in his knowledge, but sometimes very stupid in his activities (or in this case his non activity).

george ohagan,
December 8, 2014 10:22 PM

Bad decision

I had no idea there was such a thing as a "palestinian academic". He must have cast a very very wide net, and marked on a curve.

(103)
Miriam,
December 1, 2014 2:08 AM

I think it's time that we started writing to Cambridge university and to Dr. Hawking to complain bitterly about his decision pointing out why he's on the wrong side.

(102)
David Rosenberg,
November 23, 2014 6:12 PM

shame

Dr. Hawkins should be ashamed of himself. For such a brillent man man he just made a very foolish decision

(101)
pat treslove,
July 1, 2014 4:19 PM

What a disappointment

It is sad that a man like Hawkins, needs others to advise him on these matters, where would he be if it were not from the medical assistance he has, which came from Israel. I often wonder what life would be like if we did not have all the products, that have come from Israel's research. I think the university should make a public statement. saying how sorry they are for Hawkins cancelling, and that they support Israel. We all know what G_D says about Israel, and HE is a G_D of truth.

(100)
Remi Lessore,
June 27, 2014 8:14 AM

Atheism and anti-semitism

This article shows Dr Hawking's atheistic conclusionshttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/7976594/Stephen-Hawking-God-was-not-needed-to-create-the-Universe.htmlIs it a surprise that those who reject God also reject Israel?

(99)
Anonymous,
June 26, 2014 11:36 PM

Prof Dr Hawking omissions

Dr Hawking is ignoring the 1974 invasion and occupation of northern Cyprus by Turkish troops who are still there. Prof Hawking is also ignoring the plight of the Christian Greeks that have been ethnic cleansed out of Northern Cyprus in 1974 and their properties confiscated. Mr Hawking is ignoring the fact that Turkish settlers have been brought from mainland Turkey to settle the vacated spaces in northern Cyprus. By the way, there is a wall in Cyprus separating the Greek and Turkish part. Even the capital Nicosia is also separated by a wall. Cyprus is close to Israel in the Eastern Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Mr Hawking is ignoring the oppression of the ethnic Kurds in Turkey. He is ignoring the genocide of the Armenians by the Turks and the Turkish law that makes it an offense punishable by three years in jail to state that the Armenian genocide took place. He is associated with the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and travels between England and Canada.

(98)
Kenan Moss,
January 23, 2014 6:37 PM

intellegence and decency

I recall sitting through the Stephen Hawking's public masturbation with a growing sense of disappoinment and frank dislike. Nowhere did he find it necessary to mention that " silly little Hindu" who in 1926 demonstrated the necessity of continuous gravitational colapse when a certain mass was exceeded. Perhaps he felt justified in excluding Chandrasekhar given the ridicule heaped on him by Eddington who knew that the world could not be so despite the mathematical proof. Cambridge has had more than its share of nut cases. I seem to recall Russell questioning whether mathematical systems had any virtue other than internal coherence and if they could be show to demonstrate anything about the "real World".

(97)
Beverly Kurtin,
July 8, 2013 7:19 AM

On the other hand His refusal

His reluctance to attend the conference could have to do with the incredible difficulty in getting from point A to point B. It isn't all that easy for him. Think of all he had to do to board planes and generally get around. But if he is actually boycotting the affair, then I've lost all respect I ever had for him. HE IS ONLY hiring himself. That makes him just another European snob.

Neal,
June 28, 2014 1:43 PM

Hawking is boycotting

Beverly, the U of W was embarrassed and tried to say it was due to his health but Hawking's office then made it clear that is due to boycotting.Shame, shame, shame

(96)
Bill Stivers,
June 29, 2013 2:49 AM

Hawking was not involved in the Higgs discovery!

Dear Yvette:

Hawking lost a bet to two men over the Higgs Boson. One of them, Marshall Barnes has slammed Hawking over his boycott by writing to the Conference itself. Check it out -http://www.prlog.org/12164968-marshall-barnes-takes-sides-against-hawking-on-israeli-tomorrow-conference-boycottreceives-thanks.html

(95)
Albert Hache,
May 27, 2013 1:32 PM

Not so smart, nothing to be sorry about!

How can the man who wrote a book called "A History of Time" be called smart. The very title is wrong; the book itself fruitless.. Any Talmudic Scholar knows that history is contained in time. Without time there is no history. Time cannot therefore have a history. He may be smart in a very narrow sort of way which does not include true intelligence and wisdom.

stacey forehand,
June 30, 2013 7:44 PM

so true, so true

(94)
marv breslau,
May 26, 2013 1:28 AM

no smarts

how can someone be so dumb??????

(93)
Miriam Yarden,
May 24, 2013 6:27 AM

One can be learned and educated. However, intelligence is either there or not. As for the good Professor, if gratitude is not on his agenda for all the Israeli devices he relies on, at least an acknowledgement would be in order. Good manners CAN be learned!

(92)
MIriam,
May 20, 2013 4:47 PM

The word "smart" is relative...

As Rabbi Avigdor Miller put it so aptly: "The Italian construction worker working in a hole outside the New York Times office building in Manhattan has more brains than the Times editor inside the building..."

(91)
Scandinavian,
May 17, 2013 11:04 PM

Rebels used sarin in Syria

Correction: as UN's Carla del Ponte recently argued, there is evidence that it was, rather, the Syrian rebels who have used chemical weapons. Which is logical, as a while ago they put out a video in which they tested chemical weapons on rabbits.

Of course, now the entire world knows, via a brutal video, about the "freedom fighter" who ate the heart of a Syrian solder. But is that so suprising behavior from Jabhat al-Nusra (=al-Qaida) related jihadists that the West uses as proxies to destabilize one of the most secular, westernized and liberal Arab countries in which even women are selected into the Parliament?

(90)
Anonymous,
May 17, 2013 7:05 PM

did anyone send him the information you are passing around? has he responded?

(89)
Liz,
May 17, 2013 3:05 PM

follower

I'm much aggrieved that Hawkings, who can be greatly admired in other areas, appears to be a follower of a lie.

It seems, perhaps due to Israel's survival and success, it's no longer perceived as an 'underdog', and the lie accepted from enemies of Israel and perpetrated by the so called liberals and media has taken up tenaciously the cause of the downtrodden - Palestinian 'refugees'.

I put refugee in quotes, because uniquely and unlike any other people on earth, they've retained their refugee status (with the support of the U.N.) for 65 years.

(88)
Terry Trainor,
May 17, 2013 2:08 PM

It may STILL be medical-

Hawking is a brilliant man.Is it not possible that this disease which he is suffering from has finally started to effect his brain?It is the only reason I can think of that would explain such a brilliant person siding with the Muslims against the Jews.

(87)
Tonye,
May 17, 2013 11:32 AM

The boycott is uncalled for

Soorry to correct you that the Nigerian government is not killing Christians rather it is responding to the daily attacks launched by muslim terrorist against christians and moderate muslims who disagree with the policies of the estremists.

(86)
R J,
May 16, 2013 5:38 PM

such foolishness

I am afraid to say that Hawking has stepped into an area that he knows little about. Perhaps labeling him a doddering old fool is a bit much, Hawking truly needs to stick with what he knows best, theoretical physics. No university wants egg on their face and that is just exactly what happened. Hawking's people pleasing actions will eventually be overlooked but it will certainly not be forgotten. Just remember what Solomon said, "Pride cometh before the fall".

(85)
Mary Jo,
May 16, 2013 5:12 AM

Very sad.

People who do not believe in the G-d of Israel, like this man,are on the side of the one who they listen to, the liar who deceives people to believe in other gods, or that there is no G-d, convincing them to hate G-d's chosen people!

(84)
Anonymous,
May 14, 2013 6:01 AM

multi-tasking

Hawking is a genius physicist. Hawking is a political dupe. Give the guy a Koran and join a sect of extremists. Let him put his life on the line, become a suicide bomber, reach heaven and get set for 72 virgins. Obviously Hawking knows a good deal when he sees it.

(83)
Anonymous,
May 14, 2013 5:44 AM

addition

If Hawking thought 1 2 = 4. That is a mistake and it can be corrected.

However, Hawking seems to think that 1 2 = 99. That is no mistake. It is true for people from another planet.

(82)
Marcy,
May 13, 2013 10:33 PM

thank you

Thank you for writing the most well-written, persuasive, concise statement about why Hawking has acted in such an utterly foolish way. PLEASE find his email address, forward this article to him, and invite him to respond. He should be hung up to dry as publicly as possible and attempt to respond to the points in this article. As an intellectual myself, I would really relish a reasoned debate with him or anyone else who supported his decision, after asking them to read this article. His decision actually made me physically ill because he should stand for the epitome of open dialogue and instead he shockingly chooses to shut it down. What leg does he have to stand on (no pun intended) to attempt to eliminate intellectual conversation?!? His move is preposterous, anti-intellectual, and he should be deeply, deeply ashamed of himself. It's beyond chuzpah. It's actually the tragic failing moment of his life.

(81)
Anonymous,
May 13, 2013 8:02 PM

What's His Case?

I heard his diatribe on the existence of God. This boycott is not surprising. Don't believe religion has anything to do with anything here, but am fascinated by his extreme sense of security in a bionic existence. I have a great compassion for Mr. Hawkins. He knows so much and at the same time, so little. Has the world missed it with him. If not, what's his case?

Anonymous,
May 17, 2013 7:44 PM

Location, Location, Location!

The "world" is "missing" Dr. Hawkings, he lives in a very distant locale, very far away. His relentless perseverance is remarkable and a true inspiration to humankind, His "scientific genius" is next to none; his common sense, "lack of struggle with honesty", and integrity exceedingly questionable - therein lies the problem, in my opinion.

(80)
Alvin Glazerman,
May 13, 2013 3:22 PM

Some of your comments are misplaced

If, as you say, you respect Hawking's right to express his views, why do you mention - even emphasize - the benefits he has received as the result of Israeli technology and other support? And why do you imply that he has no right to criticize Israel unless he also criticizes other nations with horrendous records of egregious human rights violations? Your article would have been much more effective and fair, in my opinion, if you had pointed out the Israeli position and history on human rights and the difficulties Israel has faced with leaders who are on record as committed to Israel's destruction and who have engaged in such activities as strapping bombs on teen-aged kids and sending them into Israel to kill themselves and innocent Israeli civilians.

(79)
kate b,
May 13, 2013 7:47 AM

Boycotting is always blinkered

When they stand in/outside theatres marring the occasion, but ignore the Syrian/Chinese restaurant across the way.

The problem is rhetoric, the original 4 state solution of 3 ARab nations and 1 Jewish, was fine, then they wanted a 5 state solution and got it: Jordan (over 1/2 of Israel's Mandated land)......and now a 6th with Israel's capital.

Answer? Stop using false terms:

"There are no differences between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. We are all part of one nation. It is only for political reasons that we carefully underline our Palestinian identity.... yes, the existence of a separate Palestinian identity serves only tactical purposes. The founding of a Palestinian state is a new tool in the continuing battle against Israel."- Zuheir Muhsin, late Military Department head of the PLO and member of its Executive Council (Dutch daily Trouw, March 1977)

The lie has become legitimate and no-one believes the truth any more - no amount of world gifts will compensate for "Jewish 'Occupation'" - only truth can counter it, worse, all the Arab charters call for an Arab and Muslim only 'Palestine' this is a spiritual war, whether people like that or not, and it's not the lukewarm/moderates/ignorant of the abrogated Qur'an who are leading the factions - you can't divorce a people from their religion/politics.

Sorry to be so very plain and truthful.

Anonymous,
June 6, 2013 2:04 AM

Primitive thinking

Anti-Semitism is Primitive thinking at its' finest. That is why Jewish Texts written by Rabbis, Talmudists and Torah Scholars, are with systematically misunderstood, misrepresented, misappropriated for nefarious conclusions, and degraded by individuals of extremely deficient moral and or ethical traits mindset, discernment and concern - never mind lack of integrity.
One can easily write books on the Slandering of the Jewish Peoples throughout history, and especially the Mighty Torah.
So one more "fallen" and self-acknowledged Ethically disabled, and morally questionable "mind" should come as little surprise - it is part, very regrettably, of the ravages induced and exercised by many truly pedestrian Brilliant, and gullible "eminent" authorities who are unquestionably and voraciously submissive to "inflammatory" ideas of little merit.
Anti-Semitism is a construct which is endlessly passed on by Shocking primitive mind-sets.

(78)
Anonymous,
May 13, 2013 12:50 AM

Space - THE ONLY FRONTIER

Dr. Hawkings seemingly spends way, way, way, too much time in outer space, It seems he has now taken up domicile on a newly discovered planet in some VERY VERY VERY far-away galaxy, where Ignorence Truly , is BLISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

(77)
Anonymous,
May 12, 2013 11:00 PM

Fantasy

Please let us ignore this and do not make a big deal about his boycott. There are many scholars who will attend the conference. Let Mr Hawkin live in his fantasies.

(76)
Dolores J.,
May 12, 2013 3:25 PM

Not so Smart

It just goes to show you that someone may be incredibly brilliant, but they are not so smart after all.

(75)
Menahem Lester,
May 12, 2013 10:11 AM

Hypocrisy

"Amazingly, the conference that Hawking is boycotting is designed to promote the very sort of tolerant, open world for which he surely yearns."So was Durban - look where that ended

(74)
Anonymous,
May 11, 2013 6:16 PM

I was particularly disgusted by his press release that stated "I have received a number of emails from Palestinian academics. They are unanimous that I should respect the boycott". For one, it shows that Hawking is not thinking for himself, but seems to have to submit to whatever "Palestinian" academics whisper into his ears. Who are these "Palestinian" academics? And how does Hawking know that their opinion is any way relevant? Why doesn't he make up his mind by hearing both sides, as it would befit a true academic!Secondly, I am particularly offended and hurt by the formulation "respect the boycott". Instead of writing "a boycott", he writes "the", as if to suggest that this is some sort of generally accepted action, when in reality it is a particularly hateful initiative started by a handful of left-wing fanatics. By calling it "the boycott", he gives it this cowardly assault on Israeli democracy a credibility that it doesn't reserve.I'm terrified and shocked at the amount of hatred and anti-semitism that is creeping into the British press, academia and the public. Shame on Mr. Hawking! Shame on his backers!

Lloyd A. Oestreicher,
May 12, 2013 11:58 PM

BOYCOTT

I AGREE WITH ANONYMOUS. HAWKING WAS I UNDERSTAND, INVITED PERSONALLY BY SHIMON PERES. TO CITE THE EXCUSES HE HAS, BELIES HIS HONESTY AND ONLY SHOWS HIM TO BE THE ANTI-SEMITE HE IS. OBVIOUSLY ACADEMIA COMES SECOND AND POLITICS FIRST.

(73)
Ralph,
May 11, 2013 12:29 PM

Intelligence is relative

I've long held that intelligence is relative. An engineer might be smarter than a lawyer in the field of engineering but that does not make him smarter than the lawyer as the lawyer is smarter than the engineer in the field of law. Hawkings might be brilliant in the field of physics but he is obviously woefully ignorant in so many other ways. If he had any knowledge at all of the history of the Jews and what they have had to endure just to survive over the thousands of years of their existence and up to the present day, I doubt that he would take this stand. And if I'm wrong about that, then Hawkings would prove to be a lot more ignorant of the world than I believe him to be.

(72)
Gamaliel,
May 11, 2013 10:14 AM

Influence of Muslim Immigrants Responsible

The amazing thing about England is although they are victims of their growing radical Muslim populace they believe the propaganda of their Muslim populace. That propaganda has infiltrated the British media so that a lot of bright people are fooled. I've always been amazed how scientists can be so wrong about non-scientific issues. In fact they can be wrong about scientific ones as well global warming being a primary example. Despite the fact that world temperatures do not match climate models based on CO2 being responsible for climate change many scientists are believers or at least pretend believers that man is causing global warming. Pretend because if they want grants they better apply for grants that measure global warming.

(71)
Dr. Beverly-Margolis Kurtin, Ph.D.,
May 11, 2013 3:44 AM

A man without shame

As a scientist and a proud Jew, I abhor Hawkin's boycott of the only free country in the Middle East because PALESTINIANS asked him to honor an dishonorable boycott. I've no way of communicating with him but I hope that someone will get the dimwitted jerk (just because someone has doctor or professor before their name doesn't make them smart) to open his eyes.Perhaps a video of the people when the "Palestinians" they have murdered in cold blood for thinking that they had worked for Israel. NO TRIAL, NO REPRESENTATION, NO POSSIBILITY OF MERCY, just an unproven accusation and the person is hanged or hacked to death. "Palestinians" love blood and gore.My contribution to this stupid move on his part? I'll no longer spend a dime to buy and read his books; I'll go to the library if the book is worth reading.

(70)
Shannon,
May 11, 2013 1:51 AM

Chutzpa!

Hey did Marvin Sharpe completely lift Ms. Milller's article and get it published in Canada's national post, or this a non de plume? Reads great but looked very familiar...

(69)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 6:15 PM

Your article has been plagiarized

NOT FOR PUBLICATION ON THIS SITE: - but I wanted you to know that this article has been plagiarized in a letter to the editor of Canada's National Post. I have not pointed this out to the National Post as I am happy they printed it, but thought you should know. Please see the first letter on this page:http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/05/10/todays-letters-12/

(68)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 5:32 PM

Bias

The article is very biased. As soon as somebody criticizes or does something which is not in favor of Israel, he or she is fool. I am so sorry that I see such an article here.

(67)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 4:08 PM

author is brilliant

wow, the author of this article is brilliant. to understand how Stephenhawkins uses Israeli technology and how his life passion , particle physics, has been developed by Jewish scientists of the past. I guess he is just very frightened and wants to be politically correct. His fortay is science and not politics so I guess he like so many don't delve deep enough to find out what is really going on with heavily funded propaganda machine expressed through the Palestinians and barfed out to the rest of the world

(66)
Dawn,
May 10, 2013 3:31 PM

Pro Isreal

The fool has said in his heart there is no God. For such a smart man he is a fool. Shame on you Dr. Hawkins. I am not Jewish, I am a Christian, but I believe in and support Israel.

(65)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 1:54 PM

Thank you for writing such a clear and concise article. Stephen Hawking is indeed biting the hand that feeds him. Where on earth would he be without the technological advances made in Israel?

(64)
Ros,
May 10, 2013 1:49 PM

Well,I never knew Stephen Hawking was so dumb! He should be ashamed of himself.

(63)
Perry,
May 10, 2013 12:26 PM

Ironic he did this on the advice of a Palestinian

It is ironic that Hawking should boycott Israel on the advice of a Palestinian, when the Palestinians living under Israeli rule admit they live a better life than those living under Hamas or Palestinian Authority rule. In face, Palestinians are lining up to obtain Israeli citizenship. Hawking has made a stupid mistake and perhaps he may live long enough to admit his error.

(62)
Paul,
May 10, 2013 12:13 PM

I wonder whether anyone contacted Stephen Hawking directly (1) to dissuade him from complying with any boycott and (2) to call attention to the achievements and scientific advances and inventions Israelis have achieved. I bet not. Israel's PR and the failures to give good PR have become systemic for at least 12 years.

(61)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 11:41 AM

a WHOLE lot of chutzpa! and he probably has Jewish doctors......

(60)
Robin,
May 10, 2013 11:23 AM

Not only emotionally and Spiritually Retarded

This was also an intellectually retarded decision.
Hypocracy knows know socioeconomic, intellectual, or physical boundaries. Maybe you can do a math problem Mr. H but your display of shunning Israel whilst bennefitting in your crippled state from Israeli technology .... Just doesn't add up buddy.this one will go down in history as a BIG ole ZERO. Sorry for you.

(59)
Michael,
May 10, 2013 10:25 AM

Misguided

One tries not to feel sorry for people like Hawkins because of his disability but to instead admire him for his intellect and resiliance until now. All I see in Hawkins from this point on is a misinformed, antisemetic, pathetic individual.

(58)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 7:33 AM

It's unbelievable that he doesn't have any shame in his actions!

(57)
Anonymous,
May 10, 2013 5:38 AM

hawking

He did not boycott China although China invaded Tibet and he did not boycott Iran although it has a viciously repressive regime.

(56)
abey,
May 10, 2013 5:34 AM

Hupocrisy

It is the I & Me which makes a Hypocrite. Hawking cannot be faulted for not attending any conference but he sure is faulted when he denied the existence of God, when that is the word you should be speaking Saudi Arabia does what ancient Israel was asked to do, eradicate the ways of the Heathen to the gay agendas, How is that the present day Jews are actually supporting & promoting it ? This is but to know that In matters of the spirit, taking pride in the intelligence is but to wane.

(55)
Carol Renshaw,
May 10, 2013 2:31 AM

Iam thoroughly disgusted with Hawkins ungratefulness. I have long appreciateed all the great achievements of the Jewish people . I live in America where many of our finest medical doctors are Jewish for which Iam personally thankful .

(54)
vicky,
May 10, 2013 2:00 AM

I think everyone should boycott Stephenhawking, and palestine! They r the enemy, so he should move there!!!

(53)
jerome,
May 10, 2013 1:15 AM

poor.

poor man.

(52)
Sima Cherkas,
May 10, 2013 12:37 AM

The world is a sick place. Hawking is sucker than I thought!

One can hope that eventually good will triumph over evil. I've read some of Hawkings work. I would never have thought that he could be on the side of evil!

(51)
James Gibbon,
May 10, 2013 12:25 AM

Sometimes very educated people are very stupid too.

Stephen Hawkins has publicly declared that he does not believe God exists. As educated and as smart as he is, he is nevertheless extremely foolish. If we were to ask him: "do you know all there is to be known about the universe and about life?" I am certain he would say: "no." Similar, if he were asked: "do you think the sum total of all knowledge known by all humanity from past to present, from all fields of knowledge, from all cultures and races adds up to all that can be known so that nothing else is left to be discovered?" He would again say: "no." In fact, I believe he might even suggest humanity has only touched the surface of all possible knowledge. Therefore, how can such a smart man say so confidently as he does that he believes God does not exist? The Tenach says: "only the fool says there is no God." Stephen Hawkins may be highly educated, extremely smart in the field of theoretical science, and admired by most of his peers, but when all is weighed in the balance, the Tenach's estimation of his view of God is right on the button. Shalom.

Anonymous,
May 12, 2013 3:43 PM

Actually these people are often so vain and arrogant that they believe that they do know everything,or will know everything.His theory of something exploding and creating everything can't actually be proved. In terms of what we know to be possible it demands as much faith in Hawkins' brain as is needed for a belief in God;more actually because it is far more likely that an extremely complicated universe ,time ,space.life etc. was made by an intelligence than by some unknown thing exploding in some unexplained medium.

(50)
Jeff,
May 9, 2013 8:47 PM

A truely intelligent man recognizes how ignorant he really is. Thank you for doing our "homework" for us Ms. Miller. Absolutely brilliant article.

(49)
Tony Jacobs,
May 9, 2013 7:56 PM

Brilliant article

Thanks for your clear, concise and reasoned article.

(48)
hrothgar,
May 9, 2013 7:53 PM

I have given up trying to understand the so called "liberal" intelligensia;they appear to view the world through a prism that distorts everything beyond reality and common sense. I'm sure Israel will get along fine without him.

(47)
Dr. Alex PIster,
May 9, 2013 7:44 PM

He can go straight to........

This bitter, old, jealous excuse for a human being hates Jews. Period. Plain and simple.

Prof. Hawking should be asked to return his prize, and to give up his Intel Core i7 Processor, etc. It is 'put up or shut up' time. Incidentally, it is 'particle' not 'partical'. That kind of easily checked and corrected mistake can lower the tone of the article.

(44)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 7:16 PM

Palestine

In my history books and maps there is no such place as Palestine, and never has been. Because a British general decided to call the part of ISRAEL, under his command, as Palestine, does not mean that the land became Palestine. Mr Hawkins is an intelligent man, he should know that Palestine has never existed, even though some people falsely call themselves by that name.

hrothgar,
May 12, 2013 3:32 PM

The area was called Palestine long before the British. It never was a country;it it's time it has been a part of various empires and nations.It was part of Syria and as such was almost totally neglected. The land had become unpopulated and unproductive because absentee landlords had no interest in it From around the 1880s Jewish settlers started to buy land and farm it . They gradually returned the land to fertility and many new settlements sprung up.Because so many Jews had returned to the area was one of the reasons why a Jewish homeland was considered suitable.The Jews have ,in real terms, got more right to the area than anyone else.

(43)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 7:09 PM

Just because you're smart doesn't mean you're smart.

(42)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 6:55 PM

Mr. Hawking is an authority on one subject only! He knows little or nothing about anything else!

(41)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 6:53 PM

Disappointment.

Stephen Hawking is uineluctable proof that intellectual capacity is no guarantee of wisdom.

(40)
Chris Rettenmoser,
May 9, 2013 6:43 PM

That guy is a SHAME !

Hawkings is just another cheap Antisemite !

(39)
Ann,
May 9, 2013 6:31 PM

reality check

Hawkings needs a reality check - he may be a brilliant theoretical scientist (some of his work lately has been rather bizarre, though) but his grasp of politics and ground level reality are a little loose.

There may be also be a level of jealousy here that no one would ever dare speak about - his work is being overtaken by young theoretical physicists and some of the brightest are Jewish. being displaced at the head of the table can be very painful.

You have to feel sorry for a guy like this - his body has never been healthy and strong and now his mind is going too.. that has to hurt and lashing out at what he considers the next people down on the scapegoat ladder is just what he does to make himself feel better. Say a prayer for the poor man and hope that he manages to right the wrong he's done.

(38)
Madeleine,
May 9, 2013 6:02 PM

Sad.

I's sad and hypocritical for Hawkings to boycott Israel. Perhaps he should be made to return his award money, thus putting his money where his mouth is.

(37)
Ruth,
May 9, 2013 5:57 PM

Moral intelligence and intellectual intelligence

I am surprised that people are surprised that Stephen Hawking is capable of stupid behaviour such as his recent decision to boycott the Facing Tomorrow conference in Israel. Why do we think that a man who is a giant in physics is equally wise in moral matters? From his past behaviour, it is apparent that Hawking is more fallible than most of us in his behaviour. He left his wife of 26 years to marry his former nurse. His second wife abandoned her children and her first husband, the engineer who designed Hawking's voicebox. During his second marriage, there were police allegations of mental and physical cruelty suffered by Hawking at her hands . A former colleague of his, said, in 2006, "for a man like Prof. Hawking to admit that he made a big, big mistake would be the ultimate humiliation." After 17 years, Hawking finally left her (wealthy) and made peace with his first wife and children. Does anyone honestly believe that a man with this history, disabled or not, brilliant or not, arrogant or not, is mature enough to back down and admit that he is an ignoramus in world affairs.

(36)
charlene,
May 9, 2013 5:50 PM

Shame on him.. He may be smart but he has not common sense or e where does he get funding for h is research from?Follow the money!

(35)
Maureen,
May 9, 2013 5:38 PM

Brilliant article

This is a very intelligent article about a very stupid decision . The author does a great job highlighting the hypocrisy of Hawkinga' actions. Perhaps he should at least return his $3m prize since it is tainted by it's Israeli connection.

(34)
David Plane, Geneva, Switzerland,
May 9, 2013 5:28 PM

His scientific fame is shared with Jacob Beckenstein of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Stephen Hawking is famous for evaluating the entropy of black holes, and the rather obvious comsequence of so-called "Hawking radiation". However, it was Jacob Beckenstein who first showed that the black hole entropy is proportional to the black hole's surface area, rather than it's volume as physicists expected.Hawking went on the develop Beckenstein's idea (Beckenstein was then in Princeton at Einstein's old institute) and became famous, but the really creative part of the work, the breakthrough, was made by Beckenstein.

(33)
Lois Homer,
May 9, 2013 5:24 PM

BOO to Stephen Hawking

I have always loved Stephen Hawking's shows on the universe and admired him for his perseverance even though he has a debilitating disease but I began to wonder about him when I heard that he doesn't believe in anything which is his right and now I hear this. Stephen Hawking may be intelligent but now to me he is a narrow minded idiot.

(32)
Ron,
May 9, 2013 5:10 PM

Cripple

Has it ever occurred to you all that this emotional cripple is just a plain anti Semite? Don't rack your brains over why he choose to do this other than he just HATES JEWS. Is that too difficult to grasp?

(31)
Howard,
May 9, 2013 4:42 PM

send this to him, he night just change his mind.

I don't think he reads the aish.com website. You should get someone, perhaps one of the many Jewish Nobel prize winners hemust be friends with, to give this to him. I am sure, with his logical outlook and intelligence, hawking will come to the conclusion that he has erred and change his mind.

(30)
Ross Kardon,
May 9, 2013 4:42 PM

Biting the hand that feed you!

Israel is working on a cure for ALS, of which Stephen Hawking is afflicted. So Hawking is a fool to get on the anti-Israel bandwagon. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!

This just goes to show being an intellectual genius, does not guarantee that a smart person will have common sense.

I have struggled most of my life with the genetic defect of obesity. People are not fat or thin because of how much. or how little they eat. At this point in time there is only one safe, guaranteed way to be thin: have thin parents. That is why all diet programs, like Weight Watchers, are doomed to fail for obese people trying to lose weight. Even stomach surgery is useless, because it still does not cure the problem.

So if Israel develops a real cure for obesity, no way will I go against Israel, even if someone tries to financially bribe me!

Concerning my opinion of Israel. Israel should not have given up possession of Gaza. Israel should not give up Judea and Samaria. Because if Israel goes back to pre-1967 borders and allows for the creation of a "Palestinian" Arab state, it will not bring peace to the Middle East or even help the cause of human rights,, but only put Israel in serious danger of being wiped off the map!

Want to boycott any countries? Let's start with boycotting Brazil, and all the surrounding South American countries, in an effort to save the rain forests!

Dvirah,
May 21, 2013 4:39 PM

Re Gaza...

In point of fact, Israel wanted to "give up" Gaza, but Egypt refused to take it back! Look up the records of the negociations for the Israel-Egyptian peace treaty.

(29)
Stuart Teich,
May 9, 2013 4:18 PM

His perfidy is exactly what ought to have been expected.

Accepting cash is apparently a very different thing from sitting in on a civilized discussion. Now we know exactly the level of his integrity

(28)
Joel Enger,
May 9, 2013 4:13 PM

even geniuses sometimes have errors of judgement

In typical Jewish tradition we shall all need to pray just a little harder for Stephen Hawkings healing and wellness/mental well being. As Jews we shall always choose to bless the light and not curse the darkness. Stephen might yet have another great insight and retract his fool hardiness even if it requires setting aside hubris and acknowledging his initially unscientific assessment was neither fair nor balanced.

(27)
Salomon Mizrahi,
May 9, 2013 4:09 PM

Maybe he received advice from Jews

It is quite possible that Hawking received advice from Jews, Israeli and British that defend the BDS, not necessarily by Arabs. Leftist Jews hate Israel much more than the rapers of their mothers and daughters.

(26)
Yaakov Reuven ben Hyka,
May 9, 2013 4:00 PM

Problems with your article

Ms. Miller, Please do not give Palestinians more credit. There were no arab Palestinians before 1967. The name Palestine was first used by the Romans and then picked up by our friends the British in another Jew hatred from a country that threw out Jews 3 times in its history. Also, Nigeria is NOT massacring Islamists. The other way around, Isliamists are massacring Christians because they are Christians not Islamists. The world hates us because we are Jews, period. Jew hatred is not rational, like racism. Hashem (Gd) is using Jew hatred to bring Jews to do teshuva and return to Israel. Yes, Israel is the only place where a Jew can be free from Jew hatred. Look at Europe now to see what can happen here in the US.

(25)
Avi Levy,
May 9, 2013 3:57 PM

Smart people DO have some of the damnest blind spots!

I read some of this last night on AOL. I was wondering if this has anything thing to do with the recent Israeli strikes in Syria? If he thinks that was a bad thing, that great mind of his has finally snap! Interesting too, in a older article i have read he seem rather excited to travel to Israel. As Mr. Spock would say "FASCINATING!"

(24)
bart martin,
May 9, 2013 3:40 PM

Agree with you..

Yes ,this astronimist - phyisist seems to have no real knowledge about things on the earth Not the first time a scientist is manipulated for political reasons,And being British doesn´t help.It was they who abandoned Israel, and left a big mess in the Mid East.Hawkings go hawk your science .But think before you get involved in the Mid East and manipulated by very dubious advisors!

(23)
Andy,
May 9, 2013 3:39 PM

I don't think Mr Hawking is unaware of what you mentioned. Seems to me that he is doing what he believes to be right in support of the Palestinians

I imagine that he thinks that the boycott will result in add'l pressure on Israel to withdraw from lands most of the world considers occupied without any reciprocity. Considering the success the Palestinians have had in doing just that and in turning much of world opinion to their favor it seems to me that supporting the boycott is an understandable tactic. It's a non violent protest which appeals to many who would not support terror and are not ready to declare that they oppose the existence of a Jewish State within any realistic borders.

(22)
Boaz,
May 9, 2013 3:34 PM

he has visited China and Iran

His double standards are even more evident when he has visited Iran for a conference in 2007 (http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/9774.html) and China in 2006 (http://www.china.org.cn/english/scitech/172341.htm).

(21)
gianni,
May 9, 2013 3:30 PM

I condivid all of your words

I don't wanna put more words, your article is enough

(20)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 3:14 PM

I admire the balanced intelligence of your response vis a vis a shockingly stupid reaction, when Mr Hawking's own intelligence should work towards helping Peace take root in the Middle East, since it proves a bigger challenge then decoding new particles.

(19)
Sandrine,
May 9, 2013 3:06 PM

And what about China?

If some people boycott Israël...Then Stand Up ans boycott China...in Memory of Tibétains! Think twice.

(18)
Shelley Megerman,
May 9, 2013 3:04 PM

Was anati-Zionism/Semitism a preexisting condition in Hawkings?

As my family and I view Science or Discovery channels programs highlighting Hawkings brilliant mind and accomplishments, we never had to give a moment of thought to his politics. Now we will view him through a different lens. This will change how we perceive him. Will we and others boycott him. . . I wonder?

(17)
Geri Taran,
May 9, 2013 2:58 PM

Hawking's misguided support

I'm dismayed by Hawking's withdrawal of support for Israel and disappointed in him. Perhaps his clarity of mind has become diminished.

(16)
thomas,
May 9, 2013 2:58 PM

What a shame for human "intelligence"

Dr. Hawkings knows the end of time, but ignores what is Israel? Amazing myopia!!!

(15)
AMW,
May 9, 2013 2:57 PM

Hawking boycott

I wonder now how many of his esteemed Jewish colleagues will stop pushing his wheel chair and start calling him Horking.

(14)
DavidE,
May 9, 2013 2:52 PM

Boycott Technology

If Steven Hawking has any integrity, he should boycott Israel's R&D,technology,medicines, etc. This would mean to stop using computers, for example.

(13)
Stanley Tee,
May 9, 2013 2:44 PM

Great article

Thank you for bringing clarity to this situation.

(12)
Anon,
May 9, 2013 2:42 PM

More than chutzpah

I call it more than chutzpah - I think underneath the boycotting of Israel is anti- semitism

(11)
Kay Singer,
May 9, 2013 2:40 PM

Disappointed

I am disappointed that someone that I held in such high esteem would take this stance. Have mercy on his soul, I will stand with Israel.

(10)
Mikhael Sublett,
May 9, 2013 2:38 PM

Sad for my hero

This man has been a hero of mine for years. It is devastating to me that he would hop on the 'hate Israel' bandwagon. A great mind was persuaded to follow the masses.

(9)
Fiona CAPSTICK,
May 9, 2013 2:35 PM

crushing disillusionment

Dr Hawling's capitulation in the wake of pressure by Palestinian academics comes as a crushing disillusionment. How could such a brilliant, universally admired human being display such overwhelming lack of judgement?

(8)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 2:35 PM

Atheist Hawking

Could the fact that Hawking is an Atheist play into the picture?

(7)
ezra sofair md,
May 9, 2013 2:26 PM

Hawkings' reputation as a "brilliant scientist" is way over rated.

he is over rated and his reputation will diminish.

(6)
moshe,
May 9, 2013 2:23 PM

i agree hawking is mistaking a mistaek

but to say he's short-sighted b/c he does and/or could benefit so much from israel is no reason for someone to go against their principals. many ppl boycott mengel's medical records even though it'd mean giving up on important medical records etc. and at the same time they are willing to take cash compensation from germany or in hawkings case an Intel Core i7 Processor...

(5)
Hilel Salomon,
May 9, 2013 2:21 PM

Smart is as smart does

Hawking should attend all the scientific conventions honoring the brilliant advances offered by Palestinian and other Muslim scientists, Surely that would keep him busy -for several seconds.

(4)
Anonymous,
May 9, 2013 2:17 PM

return the money

not a wise decision and open to ridicule - this is to be expected of politicians not scientists.

(3)
Dina,
May 9, 2013 12:58 PM

cheap article

The authors arguments against Hawking's boycott are shalow. The boycott is wrong in and of itself, because it does not have an ethical leg to stand on. It has nothing to do with the type of technology Hawking uses to communicate.

(2)
Dovid R,
May 9, 2013 12:58 PM

is he really that smart?

Personally, I question the author's premise that Hawkings is "very smart." Someone who recognizes the complexity of the universe to the extent he does yet remains an atheist is clearly lacking in common sense. An accomplished scientist he may be, but he appears to lacks the intellectual honesty of the truly great mind. I believe his boycott of Israel is simply a further illustration of this.

(1)
Raphael,
May 9, 2013 12:00 PM

No coincidence

It is no coincidence that this bigoted ingrate is also a prominent atheist.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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